Shake a hand, give a hug! Happy Holidays! During the holiday season, we are often reminded to be more kind, more caring and more generous. My belief is that we should engage in these positive behaviors not just during the holiday season but also year round. I profoundly believe in the practice of the ethic of reciprocity
(Golden Rule). With this in mind, I am reminiscent of childhood teachings about the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles, which are often retaught and implemented into Kwanzaa celebrations. As I continue to develop interpersonal and professional skills as an archivist interested in Africana/African American archives I am reminded how the Seven Principles are continuously reiterated in the maintenance and development of archival collections. The process of developing and maintaining the archives does not solely exist within the walls of the archival institutions but also takes place outside, amongst the living elements, within the community---community engagement and outreach, building collaborations---partnerships with other institutions, creating relationships---acquisitions and collection development and so on.
This week, in addition to my archival fellow responsibilities of processing photographs, completing photo selections for the upcoming Wyatt Photograph Exhibit and providing archival reference, I was able to take my archival ministry to the streets. No, I did not overtly and overly inform folks about the importance of archival collections, aggressively persist that folks visit their local archival collections, etc. Instead, I attended a few events and meetings throughout the city to gain and share knowledge of resources. Over the last months, I have existed in the comforts and confines of my shell--work and family--so my plan was to attend and participate in enlightening discussions, intellectually interactive and stimulating events that would help me to shed the confines of the shell in addition to help me gain further perspective on the work I have immersed myself in since June---the audiovisual, paper and photograph collections of African Americans, some of which have passed on but more excitingly the ones who are still here. So, I set out to meet a few...
(Golden Rule). With this in mind, I am reminiscent of childhood teachings about the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles, which are often retaught and implemented into Kwanzaa celebrations. As I continue to develop interpersonal and professional skills as an archivist interested in Africana/African American archives I am reminded how the Seven Principles are continuously reiterated in the maintenance and development of archival collections. The process of developing and maintaining the archives does not solely exist within the walls of the archival institutions but also takes place outside, amongst the living elements, within the community---community engagement and outreach, building collaborations---partnerships with other institutions, creating relationships---acquisitions and collection development and so on.This week, in addition to my archival fellow responsibilities of processing photographs, completing photo selections for the upcoming Wyatt Photograph Exhibit and providing archival reference, I was able to take my archival ministry to the streets. No, I did not overtly and overly inform folks about the importance of archival collections, aggressively persist that folks visit their local archival collections, etc. Instead, I attended a few events and meetings throughout the city to gain and share knowledge of resources. Over the last months, I have existed in the comforts and confines of my shell--work and family--so my plan was to attend and participate in enlightening discussions, intellectually interactive and stimulating events that would help me to shed the confines of the shell in addition to help me gain further perspective on the work I have immersed myself in since June---the audiovisual, paper and photograph collections of African Americans, some of which have passed on but more excitingly the ones who are still here. So, I set out to meet a few...
FRIDAY: Community Engagement, Outreach, Acquisitions and Donor Relations
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| Angela Jackson (In her current likeness) |
Poet Angela Jackson Reads at Cave Canem 2012
I spent Friday at the Harsh Research Center re-counting photographs and selecting images for the Wyatt Photograph Exhibit. There is really a science to photo archiving. On the surface, it seems simple enough: Read the image and record the information but alas what seems simple often isn't. I could swear the photographs are multiplying! It seems like the (closed) collection keeps growing, which at this point is impossible. Regardless, the counting, processing and selection continues...
Friday evening I attended All Black Woman Everything: Black Arts and Freedom Dreams, Featuring Angela Jackson at Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville, which highlighted performances by a young female poetess and rap duo, KUSH and No Name, an art exhibit by Amanda Williams and Krista Franklin and delivered the star attraction--Angela Jackson, who channeled the energy of Carolyn Rogers by reading Carolyn's poetry. Ms. Jackson gave us all an early holiday blessing when she read her own original works. During the reception, I had the opportunity to spend a little time in her grace. I spent it wisely. I surely praised her readings, poetry and contributions to the Black Arts Movement in addition to inquired about her archival collection. Needless to say, I shared with her the importance of donating her collection to the archives so that all of her wonderful work, thought processes, etc. could be accessed by scholars and enthusiasts. I've crossed my fingers in hopes she will send her collection here, the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Stay tuned.
THURSDAY: Processing I submitted the first set of images, 30 photographs, for approval for the Wyatt Photograph Collection. I need to submit a total of 150 photographs for the exhibit. Twenty two of the thirty were approved. I suppose that's not so bad but I would have preferred an approved thirty. The selection continues. During the meeting, I was briefed by Michael, the H.A.P.P. Director, about qualifications and requirements I need to adhere to as I continue to select images.
WEDNESDAY
I attended the Harsh Society Board Meeting and Annual Holiday Dinner. It was an honor to meet, sit, listen and chat with the Board Members, exemplary members of the African American community. The Vivian G. Harsh Society supports the preservation and growth of the Vivian G. Harsh Collection of Afro-American History and Literature owned by the Chicago Public Library and housed in the Collection’s wing of the Woodson Regional Library. I plan to become a member of the Harsh Society (as should you).
MONDAY
Monday was a great day at work! I processed quite a large number of photographs and provided some archival reference. The patron inquired about Margaret Burroughs and The Second Red Scare. Fortunately, I wrote a blog about that subject a few months ago and was able to give some archival advice and steer the patron in the right direction. I conducted the primary research on the topic at the South Side Community Art Center archives. Fortunately, we have related archival materials here at the Harsh that include The William McBride Papers, The Fern Gaydon Papers, and The Frances Minor Papers all of which have online finding aids.
Monday evening I graciously accepted an invitation from my friends and fellow academics, Prudenc and Haris I, to attend the inaugural issue of SOULS: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society, which is now published here in Chicago and affiliated with the University of Illinois at Chicago. The SOULS panel discussion of Black Academic contributors provided a critical analysis and assessment of Obama's presidency (to date) and the 2012 Presidential Election. To say the least, it was extremely interesting and thought provoking. The panel, moderated by Barbara Ransby, included academic notables (Barbara Ransby), Cathy Cohen, Bob Starks, Cedric Johnson, Cheryl Harris and others. I left the event feeling motivated and rejuvenated. Today was a great way to begin the week!
For More Information on the Publications and Programs mentioned in this blog, please visit the following websites:http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/souls/ Souls, A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society at UIC
http://www.wbez.org/souls-critical-journal-black-politics-culture-and-society-104258 Program Information for SOULS: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture, and Society
http://harshsociety.org/ Vivian G. Harsh Society: BECOME A MEMBER!
http://www.wbez.org/all-black-woman-everything-black-arts-and-freedom-dreams-featuring-angela-jackson-104146 Program Information for All Black Woman Everything: Black Arts and Freedom Dreams, Featuring Angela Jackson
http://www.chipublib.org/cplbooksmovies/cplarchive/archivalcoll/index.php Archival Collections at the Harsh Research Center
Habari Gani Skyla! And thank you for your wonderful posts and comments. I wish I could have been in Chicago to attend the “All Black Woman Everything” event. I hope Angela Jackson will donate her collection to the VGHRCAAHL as well, so my fingers are crossed with you. St. Edmund’s Church... I’m googling it right now. I actually just completed surveying a parish register from the St. Mark’s collection. It was like this huge tome filled with names and dates for baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials. The first entries date all the way back to 1866. Glad you enjoyed CeeLo's version of the song. (It was between that and Luther Vandross’ “Love the One You’re With”. But I was feeling festive what with preparing for the holidays and all.) I'm with you though-- Mr. Hathaway is one of the greats. Happy Christmahanukwanzakah and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year!
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